Even as the release date of Android L is drawing near, debate over what the letter "L" stands for has not stopped. Reports suggested several names like Lion, Lollipop, Licorice and Lemon Meringue Pie but Google has now given a strong hint that it could stand for Lollipop.

Even as the release date of Android L is drawing near, debate over what the letter "L" stands for has not stopped. Reports suggested several names like Lion, Lollipop, Licorice and Lemon Meringue Pie but Google has now given a strong hint that it could stand for Lollipop.

Google has the tradition of naming its major software releases after sweet or desert with Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean and KitKat being the last three, so reports that Android L might be named after Lollipop, Licorice and Lemon Meringue Pie were doing the rounds. It was even reported that the letter "L" stands for Lion.

After keeping mum since it was announced at its I/O conference, Google has posted an animated GIF for its 16th birthday with a cake topped with lollipops, giving a strong that Android L could stand for Android Lollipop, according to a report by Tech Radar.

Meanwhile, Google hasn't announced the release date of Android L but it is expected to come with HTC Nexus 9 or the Nexus 6 aka Nexus 6 or at a later date. Developer Paul O'Brien has tweeted that the HTC Nexus 9 tablet will be released on 24 October, giving a hint that the new software could be released along with the device.

However, the search giant could launch the new software along with the Nexus 6 aka Nexus X, which is likely to be announced on 31 October. Android Authority has also reported that the final version of Android L won't officially be available until 1 November despite the release of Google's upcoming devices.

The new software will be released either in October or November first week but the exact launch date is not known yet.

Android L is considered to be Google's biggest update to its mobile platform till date, even bigger than the leap from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich software. It will come with a redesigned interface and fluid animations. It will also improve battery life and compatible with 64-bit processors.

The new software will give Android phone users a new feel, as "actions are animated, the interface is more colorful, and the 3D effects and shadows make the UI more intuitive." according to Android Geeks.

It is reported that several android phones will get the new software update once it is launched, and devices like the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7, and Nexus 10 are likely to get it as soon as it is released, though not confirmed. According to reports that have surfaced so far, devices that will get the update are HTC One, HTC One (M8), Moto G (2nd generation Moto X too likely to get), Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4 and latest devices from LG.